For the purposes of this article, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to
them in this section, unless the context clearly indicates a different
meaning:
BLOCK
The land in an area usually designated as a City block bounded
by three or more streets in the City.
DEBRIS
Includes cuttings of weeds, as defined in this section, trash,
junk, discarded motor vehicles or any other material which may provide
a hiding place for snakes or rats or any thing or any condition which
may be a fire menace or breeding place for mosquitoes or which gives
off obnoxious or offensive odors.
OWNER
Includes persons holding title to any land or lot in the
City; lessees, tenants and principal occupants of any land or lot
in the City or agents of persons holding title to such lands or lots,
having care, custody, control or management of the land or lot; and
fiduciaries holding title to or having the care, custody, control
or management of land or lots in the City for others.
WEEDS
Grass, weeds, bushes, poison ivy, poison oak or any other
vegetable growth other than trees, ornamental shrubbery, flowers and
garden vegetables.
[Amended 7-16-1964; 3-16-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-07; 3-15-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-04]
A. It shall be unlawful for any owner of any land or
lot within 50 feet of an occupied residence to permit weeds or grass
standing more than 10 inches in height or any debris to remain upon
such land or lot, or to remain upon any portion of the area between
the property line of such land and the edge of the abutting pavement
or the face of the abutting curb, or to remain between the property
line and the middle of any adjacent alley.
B. A notice to comply letter along with a photo shall be mailed to the
property owner via first-class mail advising the owner of the violation.
Phone contact may be made in lieu of a letter, if such contact can
be readily established. Ten days from the date of notice shall be
given to the owner to have the property in question cleaned. For repeat
offenders the City may elect to arrange to have the property mowed
on a regular basis, which will be indicated in the letter. Mowing
will continue unless and until the owner contacts the City and indicates
that the owner will make arrangements for mowing, indicating the date
by which such mowing will be completed, failing which the City will
continue to arrange for mowing without further notice. The City may
contract with a mowing service to clean the questioned property should
the owner refuse to bring the property in compliance. The City Finance
Department shall then cause a bill to be mailed to the owner charging
the cost of the mowing services and an appropriate administration
fee. A summons may also be issued to any Virginia property owner in
conjunction with having the lot cleaned by private contractors.
C. Any charge
authorized by this section with which the owner of any such property
shall have been assessed and which remains unpaid shall constitute
a lien against such property.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any land
or lot in the City to permit any weeds or debris to remain upon such
land or lot, or to remain upon any portion of the sidewalk or street
or area between the property line of such land or lot and the curb
of the street adjacent to such land or lot, or to remain between the
property line of such land or lot and a line in the street adjacent
thereto having no curb which line is parallel to the property line
and 10 feet distant therefrom, or to remain between the property line
and the middle of an alley adjacent to the property line of such land
or lot, in such location, size and condition as to constitute an obstruction
or hindrance to the safe movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic
upon the streets and alleys of the City or as to constitute a menace
to the public safety.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any land
or lot within the City to permit any weeds or debris to remain upon
such land or lot in such quantity and condition as to constitute a
fire hazard.